Mother Teresa: In Her Own Words

by Mother Teresa

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Religion

Audiobook

First published March 1, 2011

About the author

Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu[6] (born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu, Albanian: [aˈɲɛzə ˈɡɔndʒɛ bɔjaˈdʒiu]; 26 August 1910 – 5 September 1997), honoured in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta,[7] was an Albanian-Indian[4] Roman Catholic nun and missionary.[8] She was born in Skopje (now the capital of North Macedonia), then part of the Kosovo Vilayet of the Ottoman Empire. After living in Skopje for eighteen years, she moved to Ireland and then to India, where she lived for most of her life.

In 1950, Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic religious congregation that had over 4,500 nuns and was active in 133 countries in 2012. The congregation manages homes for people who are dying of HIV/AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis. It also runs soup kitchens, dispensaries, mobile clinics, children's and family counselling programmes, as well as orphanages and schools. Members take vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, and also profess a fourth vow – to give "wholehearted free service to the poorest of the poor."[9]

Following her death she was beatified by Pope John Paul II and canonized by Pope Francis.

Reviews

[Jenel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t love every bit of what I heard in this book, but I do respect the work that Mother Teresa did for Jesus. Overall, this wasn’t a very well-done audio book. Poor recordings + many repeated more than once. There were a few quotes that were impactful:
“The whole of our life must come to that one word — yes.”

“Let God use you without consulting you.”

“Suffering is the kiss of Jesus.”

“The more you smile, the holier you become.”

[Cal Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think St. Mother Teresa has made me see more than anyone else that by loving others you are loving God.

[Autumn Kearney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mother Teresa has had a dear place in my heart for decades. This audio book is a conglomerate of different talks of her’s and of others about her. I had difficulty understanding some of the different people due to their accents. I was raised Roman Catholic. I no longer blindly and unquestionably follow the faith. There are parts of it that I still enjoy. This audio book is good for a one time listen.

[Bri Frerich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not an autobiography or a biography... this audiobook has actual audio recordings of Mother Teresa taken throughout the years. The audio is not the best in some sections, but the beginning of the book lets you know this upfront. But listening to her voice is warming and welcoming. Makes me wish I had the opportunity to meet her in person.

I saw her movie last November and listening to her book a year later was a humbling experience. Throughout the book, you hear of her teachings over the years. I would say you see how brave she was, but the truth was she didn't see it as bravery; she never felt endangered. She knew the Lord was with her at all times and she was doing what the Lord wanted her to. With that, she shows you how to find Jesus in all situations, good or bad. With lessons on how to treat others no matter how you are feeling or how they seem like they are doing. We don't know everyone's situations in life; maybe a stranger needs a simple "Hello" to feel Jesus. She also demonstrated how to find joy and happiness in the highs and lows of life.

She stood up for what she believed and wasn't afraid to be who she was. She is a great example of how we should all be and how we should all walk in the path of the Lord.

[Unbridled Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This audiobook, narrated by Dr. Lou Tartaglia with additional insight from Father Angelo, also includes recordings of Mother Theresa. It's a comprehensive look at her life, and how she became known as a woman of great compassion for the sick and poor and dying of Calcutta. It also stresses what a mentor she was to the priests and members of her Missionaries of Charity. She believed in 'love in action' that every Christ follower has a responsibility to show Christ's love to every living person, regardless of their circumstance or what brought them there. In some of the interviews and her recorded prayers, the compassion she feels for and the means she went to to make sure they knew THEY WERE LOVED was inspiring and humbling. It prompted me to ask, do I show the love of Jesus every day to every person I encounter? Preaching the gospel by my actions? Hearing her speak and listening to specific incidents and testimonials of other priests and those that knew her all confirmed this: she was different than others and lovingly inspired and urged them to put love in action.

The audiobook is well organized and narrated. There are a few sections where interviews are repeated and entire passages are repeated. While listening I thought maybe I need to hear those parts twice so they really sink in! Nevertheless, it's well done and worth listening to. I expect it will change the way you look at those around you. It did for me.

[Jack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook. To summarize the entire book: "Be all for Jesus." Surrender your life to Jesus' will and act out of love and compassion for others. There. I just saved you 6.5 hrs.

Many of the audio clips of Mother Teresa are not of great sound quality (one section has people continually sniffling which I was hopelessly irritated/distracted by). In addition, her messages are quite repetitive (see paragraph 1).

I did abandon the book halfway through when she started speaking about her views on abortion. I don't have strong views on the topic but I do feel her stance is lacking compassion. It is also rigid and unforgiving compared to her broader message (see paragraph 1). For her to say that abortion is the root of all war and violence between humans is just too much. I can't agree with that in any way. Further, I don't think Jesus would be so unforgiving of people's life choices. Everyone has their lessons.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be an autobiography. It is not. It is a collection of Mother’s speeches with commentary by the author. The speeches are mostly poor recordings that are barely audible. She repeats the same stories in a number of her speeches. Also, this is very anti-abortion preachy. Not really what I was looking for. I wanted to know about her life and how she evolved into a spiritual icon. I did not get that at all.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not an autobiography or a biography. This is strictly an audiobook as it contains actual voice recordings of Mother Teresa on various thoughts and subjects . Not all recordings are of equal value. Some are clear and others sound as if they were recorded from the back of the room picking up every murmur, throat clearing and such. While I found Mother Teresa’s voice soothing, some of her views on certain topics went a bit over the top for me.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good to hear many of the snippets the world has heard attributed to her and understand the deeper context. In a speech to priests, she told them they are not social workers, but Christ living and breathing among the poor. Her greatness was not in helping so many people, but in helping one person at a time and seeing the suffering Christ in each of them.

[Edith Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can learn a lot about the kindness and compassion Mother Teresa had for the poor. "It became a sort of reminder that the poor are our brothers and sisters and that we have the duty to treat them with love." I loved her message about the poor when she said each time we offer help to the poor, we really offer help to Christ.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Six stars. So much wisdom and inspiration. Mother Teresa not only was selfless and wise but humorous and full of joy. There are so many great quotes and stories throughout the book. "Do small things with great love" is one. I love that she invited all to help her, accepted and loved everyone, spoke kindly and boldly, and trusted in God's miracles.

[Gil Michelini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this will give you good insight into Mother Teresa, in her own words. As the narrator tells you in the beginning, some of the recordings of Mother speaking are difficult to understand, but most are good.

[Annette Ridenour · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much more what I was looking for. More of a bio for Mother Teresa, her spiritual lessons, and even recordings of her. Lots of great wisdom and it just makes you feel good and have some perspective to hear her share.

[Brook Morello · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an audiobook, which I love, but some of the recordings were very difficult to hear well due to background noise and low audio. I did love hearing her voice and her humor. This book did show well her belief that by loving others, we are loving God.

[Heather Holmes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This woman was an extraordinary human. Whether you are believer or not, I recommend this book, if only to see the illustration of what we all should strive to be to others.

[Greg Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to hear her own voice. I would've liked more background on her from her birth to when she first became a nun. One of the awesome thing she said, Christ is a jealous lover!

[Troy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a cool lady. Literally a saint.

[Katie Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audiobook and I didn’t want it to end! So packed full of St. Teresa of Calcutta’s simple and profound words. I also loved hearing from Fr. Angelo. Beautiful and inspiring.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy to have listened to Mother Teresa's own words and learn more about her and her mission. What an incredible life of service she led.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to listen to. There are sound clips of her speaking throughout the book that are nice to hear. Informative about her life but mostly about her teachings.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is separated into "sessions," each of which discuss a teaching Mother Teresa focused on in her work. It was a fun "read" as it is an audio book selection and there are multiple sections of Mother Teresa's own voice and recordings when she was teaching others. She was a remarkable woman and had so many amazing things to teach! Her life alone is a great teacher and then she just knew how to say things in a way that teaches profound spiritual doctrine so it can be understood. I loved her theme of Jesus being *in* the "distressing disguise" of the poor, sick, and downtrodden, and therefore when you serve these people, you are serving Christ. I gained a great many insights and I'm glad for her teachings.
The reason I don't give this book a higher rating is because I felt the "narrator" was terribly redundant. I was grateful on occasion that he would repeat Mother Teresa's words after one of her recordings (some of the recordings are quite poor and difficult to understand), but then it would be repeated over and over again. That irritates me so I don't give the overall book a high rating.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was special to be able to hear, in her very own words, the teachings of Mother Teresa. She had a powerful way of creating short phrases that contained so much meaning. Truly inspiring.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

one soul at a time, ordinary in extraordinary way with great love, ask forgiveness not blame, love as God loves you, share joy of loving with people you serve, if leave then bring mother and sister to do work, secret is one at a time, suffering not optional nor punishment misery is, to be faithful vs successful, value of suffering, fragile for God to mold, holiness as little things with great love, John lept for joy in her wound, greatest destroyer of peace and killing ones conscience, in the palm of God’s hand, called us by own name before born, His pencil, not easy but right, thoughtfulness removes bitterness, recovering doctors pray, know love live give word of God, deeper poverty in west more difficult to help addictions and distressed with pure heart via prayer, act where you are, all ed for refinement of character, Yemen chapel mosque school, tongue is first for love, work without love is slavery, contemplatives in action, less we have more we can give, more prayer more love to give. thirsting for God, trust and absolute surrender, one soul at a time, give from self vs excess, be faithful prayerful service to love, see Jesus in difficult people, poverty of heart love of children, poor are great people. thirsting for God, trust and absolute surrender, give from self vs excess, be faithful prayerful service to love, see Jesus in difficult people, poverty of heart love of children, hunger for love most important currently for human dignity due to loneliness, the humble heart of Jesus, only true sorrow is sin, find Jesus find peace, disturb comforted comfort disturbed.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this out as an e-audiobook from the library, and that's the way to go. They've edited this together as a series of lessons with commentary interspersed with excerpts from various lectures with recordings of Mother Teresa herself. Worth the read because it really gives a perspective in a really unique way about who she was and what she believed. I saw a copy of the hardcover book in a local indie book shop this afternoon, and hope to be able to eventually get it. Again, definitely worth the read/listen.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book...it's one of those that you can pick up any time, turn to any page and find inspiration. She was an amazing woman!

[Penchie Limbo]

Inspiring, insightful, moving.

[Avid reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed listening to Mother Teresa's own voice throughout this audio book. Truly an inspiring woman. The commentator is more annoying than helpful, but the recordings are truly a gem.